Advice

[jimbyjimb]

Hi guys,

I've been on the fence a long time about selling my SG. I just don't ride it much and it's such a great bike it needs to be ridden more. I had recently decided to put it up for sale in the coming two weeks and move on to another bike.

I posted this up a while back, still hasn't sold: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/5001720136.html

The midnight's are super cool bikes, so instead of getting a different bike I thought I would still sell my SG with the intent of doing a restoration on this MNS if it looks good.

I'm only interested in keeping the MNS as original as possible. This one obviously does not have original bars, unless buckhorns were optionable on MNS bikes...

In any case, does anyone have any advice on anything to look for specifically on MNS bikes? Thanks in advance!

Edit - Clarification: I posted the CL ad up on this site, the ad is not mine. I would be looking to buy the MNS in that CL ad from the seller if it were in as good of shape as it looks to be.

[tcoop]

Just to clarify... You are selling your SG and buying the LG.

The LG's and SG's are the same bike with the same issues just different colors (chrome vs gold). Second gear, Check the wiring for PO updates (or down grades ), Check the brakes and the compression.

I would buy the LG get it fixed, THEN sell the SG (so that you always have something to ride ) but that 's me.

You also don't mention how much your selling your SB for.

[LoHo]

To be clear: you want to sell a bike you don't ride enough to buy almost the same bike? Why would you ride the LG more? And buying an old, used bike is always a gamble about how it has been maintained and handled.

[jimbyjimb]

Just to clarify... You are selling your SG and buying the LG.

The LG's and SG's are the same bike with the same issues just different colors (chrome vs gold). Second gear, Check the wiring for PO updates (or down grades ), Check the brakes and the compression.

I would buy the LG get it fixed, THEN sell the SG (so that you always have something to ride ) but that 's me.

You also don't mention how much your selling your SB for.

Correct, I am going to sell my SG. To my understanding from reading other posts, LG's and SG's are not exactly the same. Just mostly the same. I am interested in anyone who knows if the minor differences warrant extra attention as far as inspecting the bike, or warrant extra consideration as far as purchasing an MNS goes. I would intend to use this as an occasional rider, but mainly as a fun project and collectible, which an SG surely is not at this point.

I've been a mechanic in the past and maintain those skills today, I have the basics covered as far as general inspection, making sure the engine spins, looking for corrosion or undue wear, etc. More interested in specific details on how any subtle difference in the MNS and Special might warrant extra caution or inspection. I gather the differences are few, but one I'm aware of is different fork diameter. How these subtle differences have an effect on the machine I do not know.

As far as the wiring, second gear and whatnot, yes, absolutely. Thanks for the tip.

I have an XT225 to ride in-between. I have no bones about selling the SG since I was planning to anyway. I will probably list mine slightly above what I paid for it, 1700.00. Locally for a non-restored bike in the condition mine is in that's a pretty typical asking price. might have to sit on it a while, but that doesn't matter to me. I have to decide if I want an MNS project or a DR650 for more off-roadius adventures.

[jimbyjimb]

To be clear: you want to sell a bike you don't ride enough to buy almost the same bike? Why would you ride the LG more? And buying an old, used bike is always a gamble about how it has been maintained and handled.

The SG is more bike than I use right now and is not rare enough or valuable enough to warrant keeping around for occasional use. To my mind, an LG or an E would be.

I would probably ride the LG the same or less as I currently ride my SG, but the LG in good shape would be a fun excuse to do a minor restoration (keep me busy and OFF my computer), would retain more value and is a much more desirable and unique bit of Yamaha history. In my mind, it bridges the gap between being a showpiece and a user. Plus, 900 bucks for an MNS that could be in very good cosmetic shape is a pretty good deal. I haven't seen the bike yet, so I want to know of anything different to look for that might be different than a regular Special. Sometimes vehicles that appear slightly different have very different things about them that can change what a person should be inspecting. From reading it seems they're mostly the same, I just want to know from anyone with experience whether or not there is anything different enough worthy of discrimination.

My SG doesn't need anything and I don't tour anymore. It isn't particularly collectible or valuable. I don't commute or rely on motorcycles for day to day transportation so practicality is moot. Just ready for something different, even if different isn't all the different in the end. Just having something to do this summer would be fun.

I completely understand gambling, all I ever buy are used vehicles. Just curious if any of the subtle differences between models warrant any additional consideration.

[DiverRay]

The BIG thing about the LG is the exhaust system! They are no longer available, and when you do find one for sale, they usually go for about $1,500 US. My LG has problems with the stock exhaust, missing the two covers by the engine and cracks at the base of the muffler. It has about 37K on the bike, so it should not be from wear.
Also, getting the gold plate on the carb covers can be a PITA, but the gold paint IS easy to find via DuPont at a good paint shop. The grab handle is the other place you will find problems, with the aluminum under the gold causing the gold plate to peel off.

[jimbyjimb]

That's exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for. Thanks Ray!

[jimbyjimb]

I got a look at the bike.

It isn't worth 900 to me, maybe 500 if I were in a good mood. Most of the finished surfaces had some kind of damage, like pitting or chipping. While it wouldn't take a whole lot of work to shine it up, 900 bucks is too much for a bike in its condition non-running in my opinion. The exhaust system was totally servicable though.

Apparently the bike started to have trouble when he replaced the leaking cam-chain tensioner. My guess is the cam chain skipped enough not to allow running. He said it didn't make any noise at all and cranks fine, it just won't fire off. In my eyes, that's a 900 dollar gamble I don't want to take. MNS bikes aren't THAT scarce!